Construction includes a heavy layup of multi-directional and woven fibers below the waterline, plus a fiberglass/foam grid stringer system. Much of the boat above the waterline is vacuum-bagged, which cuts weight while improving strength. The gel is Armorcoat, with a hydrex vinylester barrier coat to help prevent blistering. The nonslip has a good tooth, sticky on bare feet as well as Top-Siders, yet it looks smooth and clean.

Bertram has moved toward extending the flying bridges forward on many of its boats, which creates a gathering spot for passengers. On the 410, however, putting all that space in front of the console made passage behind the captain’s chairs too tight. There’s a small passage on the starboard side, but that’s constricted because the console projects over the stairs.

Inside the cabin there’s sinful luxury: yacht-grade finishes on all-wood furniture, real leather upholstery trim, teak and holly flooring, and molded stone countertops. In the bow peak is the master, which shares a head with the starboard stateroom. Twin doors will make your guests feel at home. Want peace and quiet in your berth? The AC system is positioned aft of the engines, which in turn are behind the fuel tank compartment, so you can scarcely hear the generator running.

For a 42,000-pound rig, this boat is amazingly light on its feet, spinning at near dizzying speeds within its own length. But top speed isn’t great, maxing at 34.5 mph. Interestingly, the twin 600-hp Cummins delivered about the same fuel economy all the way from 2500 rpm through top end, so you can match your speed to sea conditions and not worry about hunting for the most economical sweet spot.

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Freedom of choice is overrated. Want proof? Consider the convertible sportfisherman, a boat designed to free us from having to choose. Do you want to fish? Or cruise? Hey, don’t choose. With one of these boats, do both.

But all boats are compromises, and convertible sportfishermen are no different. Are you a passionate angler or a serious cruiser? Will you settle for a fishboat you can cruise from, or a cruiser you can fish from? See. You’re still faced with a choice.

Real freedom is freedom from choice. And buyers of convertible sportfishermen never had that freedom as much as they do with the Bertram 450, an updated classic that’s so much more. Its clever use of interior space changes what you’ve come to expect from boats in this class. The most obvious differences can be found in the guest stateroom’s side-by-side berths and in the main cabin, which features a cocktail deck. Say goodbye to the conventional salon/dinette/galley layout. Never before has a boat this size featured such amenities. Never before has a sportfisherman been so…convertible.

Its prowess as a fishing machine remains unquestioned. And during our test, this 35,000-pound bluewater battlestar with its standard twin 660-bhp Caterpillars hit 30.1 mph at 1800 rpm, which produced a range of 334 statute miles. Its top speed: 39.6 mph. And at WOT it was about 10 percent more fuel efficient than several of its competitors.

In other words, the 450 is one fast, quiet, well-laid out, stylish ride, and Richard Bertram would be proud. That’s why it’s BOATING Magazine’s Boat of the Year.

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